98% of complaints and denunciations sent to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment are related to land.

On the morning of September 29, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Minh Quang reported on state management of natural resources and environment during the question-and-answer session at the 31st meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee.

Reporting to the National Assembly Standing Committee and local National Assembly delegations, Minister Nguyen Minh Quang said that the situation of complaints and denunciations in the field of natural resources and environment has gradually decreased over the years.

On average, in recent years, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has received about 4,000 complaints and denunciations (a decrease of 9,000-10,000 complaints per year compared to previous years); 98% of the complaints are related to land.

About 61% of petitions sent to the Ministry are duplicate petitions sent by citizens multiple times and to different places; 80% of complaints are sent to higher levels; only about 2% of cases are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry.

The Ministry's Inspectorate has classified, processed, responded to and guided citizens to send petitions to the right competent authority for resolution. Many "hot spots" and complicated cases have been resolved, contributing to stabilizing the security situation and social order.

Minister Nguyen Minh Quang

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment admitted that due to many reasons, the situation of complaints and denunciations by citizens is still fierce and complicated; there are still many mass cases that have lasted for many years such as: complaints and denunciations by households whose land was recovered to implement the Van Giang Commercial - Tourism Urban Area project (Eco Park), Hung Yen province, the project of Vinashin Group (Lai Vu commune, Kim Thanh district, Hai Duong province), complaints by households in Duong Noi ward, Ha Dong district, Hanoi city; complaints and denunciations by households in Co Nhue commune, Tu Liem district, Hanoi city...

In addition, there are some subjects who incite, provoke, and entice people to complain, even commit acts of extremism, causing disturbances, gathering crowds to disrupt order at the headquarters of central agencies, posting information on electronic news sites with content that is not true to the nature of the incident, especially during the National Assembly and Central Committee sessions...

Explaining the causes of complaints and denunciations from citizens in the land sector, Minister Nguyen Minh Quang said that land use is unstable due to leasing, lending, mortgaging land, allowing temporary stays, etc. In addition, policies and laws on land management and use have changed inappropriately over time, and many documents have been issued in a short period of time, causing confusion in implementation.

There are many shortcomings in the work of compensation and site clearance, especially in the valuation of compensation land and the settlement of jobs for people whose land is recovered. The leadership and direction in handling complaints and denunciations in some places is still not resolute, lacks a sense of responsibility or does not care about the legitimate rights and interests of the complainants, and even has impure motives, so the settlement of cases is not objective, accurate and timely.

People's awareness of policies and laws on complaints and denunciations is generally limited; in many cases, although people clearly understand the provisions of the law, they deliberately do not comply; in some cases, people are provoked or take advantage of complaints to incite mass complaints, putting pressure on State agencies while the handling is not strict.

The Minister also said that, implementing Plan No. 1130/KH-TTCP dated May 10, 2012 of the Government Inspectorate on inspection, review and settlement of long-standing complaints and denunciations, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has examined, verified and reviewed 30/30 assigned cases according to the plan, reported in writing to the Prime Minister, and requested localities to resolve 29/30 cases. To date, the Ministry and localities have resolved 17 cases (reaching 61%), of which 8 termination notices have been issued.

“There are 7 cases where citizens do not agree with the unified plan and continue to complain. After reviewing, the Ministry found that the complaints have been resolved in accordance with the law, there are no new developments, and some cases have been considered for support policies to stabilize their lives,” the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment added.

The Government Inspectorate continued to review and resolve complicated and pending cases. The Ministry reviewed and resolved 49 cases under the authority and responsibility of the Ministry. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment also requested localities to review 8 pending and prolonged cases under the authority of localities; and sent written responses to localities and relevant agencies asking for opinions on resolving 25 land complaints and disputes.

“The Ministry has basically resolved cases under its authority and responsibility and reviewed and unanimously resolved 29/30 outstanding and prolonged cases out of 528 cases. Clearly defining the authority and responsibility of sectors and localities in resolving citizens' complaints and denunciations, ensuring timely and effective resolution; limiting the emergence of new crowded and complicated cases; changing awareness, contributing to stabilizing the security, order and socio-political situation,” said Minister Nguyen Minh Quang./.

According to VOV